With the Pacific Northwest’s solar community looking on, Itek Energy’s Founder John Flanagan cut the ribbon to the company’s new 48,000 square-foot manufacturing facility in Bellingham, Washington, last week.

Owner and Founder John Flanagan cuts the ribbon. Photo by Peter James Studios.

Officials from both the City and the Port of Bellingham shared their excitement at this addition to Bellingham’s downtown waterfront area. Bellingham’s Mayor Kelli Linville was on hand to say a few words, as was Rob Fix, Executive for the Port of Bellingham.

“When we had our first meeting about the waterfront, this was the kind of business that we imagined would be down here,” Mayor Linville said, “Homegrown, able to expand, and good for our environment and our green power.” Mayor Linville also applauded the re-purposing of the old Georgia Pacific warehouse for Itek’s new facility, and the fact that it will bring more jobs to Bellingham’s downtown core. Rob Fix spoke for the Port of Bellingham to share their excitement at the success of this project.

Just before cutting the ribbon, Flanagan spoke to the crowd, thanking the City of Bellingham and Port of Bellingham for their collaboration on the project, and the solar installers—in Washington State and beyond—who support Itek’s business. Flanagan also made a special point of thanking “Itek’s hard-working employees, who made this transition possible.”

Karl Unterschuetz, Director of Business Development for Itek Energy, led the crowd through a tour of the new facility. Unterschuetz pointed out that, with the increased capacity from the new factory, Itek is placed among the largest solar manufacturers in the United States. The new facility will have the ability to produce 150 megawatts a year, and Itek will also keep its existing facility in Bellingham’s Irongate District, bringing Itek’s total capacity to 210 megawatts per year.

With a whole new line of cutting-edge equipment, Itek’s new factory produces high-power, five-busbar solar modules in both 60 and 72 cells, with a power range of 300 to 370 W. Known for building quality solar products, Itek’s unique vision of providing the United States with PV modules from high-tech, efficient factories placed close to local markets is well on its way to being fulfilled.